Airbus has been awarded a contract renewal by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) in Koblenz, Germany for the continued In-Service Support of the Luftwaffe’s A400M aircraft. This new contract, with a duration of 7.5 years, serves as an extension to the existing A400M In-Service Support contract that has been in effect since December 2014. Under this contract, Airbus will provide comprehensive industrial technical support for the German Air Force’s A400M fleet. The support will be delivered through the Airbus Support Centre in Wunstorf Air Base and the central Centres of Competence in Getafe, Spain. The services offered encompass a wide range of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities. Airbus will utilize its main MRO base in Manching, near Munich, as well as facilities at Wunstorf Air Base, near Hannover, Germany, and at Hannover Airport.
“This contract extension shows a long-term commitment of the German government to the A400M. Together with the customer, we have made big strides in recent years to improve availability as well as the operational capabilities of the A400M, which has become an indispensable asset in Germany’s air force inventory. This contract allows us to deepen our fruitful cooperation which, I believe, can serve as a role model of how industry and customers can work together successfully”, said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems of Airbus Defence and Space.
Additionally, as part of the contract, a new A400M maintenance facility will be established in close proximity to Wunstorf Air Base. Expected to begin operations in 2027, this facility will not only provide MRO services but will also serve as the Airbus A400M Support Centre, employing approximately 300 personnel who will collaborate closely with suppliers and customer representatives. Construction work on the facility will commence immediately. Germany stands as the largest customer of the A400M, currently operating 40 out of a total of 53 A400M aircraft on order. All of these aircraft are based at Wunstorf Air Base, which serves as the home of the Air Transport Wing 62 (Lufttransportgeschwader 62).
The Airbus A400M Atlas is a European four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It was designed by Airbus Military (now Airbus Defence and Space) as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities to replace older transport aircraft, such as the Transall C-160 and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The A400M is sized between the C-130 and the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III; it can carry heavier loads than the C-130 and can use rough landing strips. In addition to its transport capabilities, the A400M can perform aerial refueling and medical evacuation when fitted with appropriate equipment. The Airbus A400M provides substantial improvements to payload, range, internal volume and operational capacity over the Transall C-160 and Lockheed C-130 that it replaces or augments. It can carry up to 37 metric tons (41 short tons) over 2,000 nmi (3,700 km; 2,300 mi).
